Sheet metal designs are favored due to their versatility, cost-effectiveness, and durability. This process allows for the creation of a diverse range of products, catering to industries like automotive, aerospace, and consumer electronics. Sheet metal's ability to be easily cut, bent, and shaped, combined with its strength-to-weight ratios, makes it an ideal choice. Onshape is reshaping and improving the way designers tackle the inherent challenges associated with this type of product.
In Onshape, you can initiate a sheet metal design using several methods: you can convert a solid part into sheet metal; design from a flat sketch, then fold; use flange tools to add edges and features; or directly import and adapt existing sheet metal designs.
With Onshape, users can simultaneously create and preview flat patterns. This visualization of the flattened design helps streamline the manufacturing planning process. Additionally, the platform supports direct exports to standard formats like DXF or DWG for fabrication needs.
Use sheet metal bend parameters like K-factor, bend allowances, and bend deductions, to ensure accurate flat pattern generation for your sheet metal designs. It's crucial for product manufacturability, ensuring precise dimensions and fit, by accounting for material stretch and compression during bending.
Integrated within every aspect of Onshape's framework, is a robust advanced collaboration toolset. Design teams can effortlessly share, comment, and maintain version histories. This holistic approach reduces miscommunication, enhances team synchronization, and tracks design evolutions.
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